Foot protector



June 30, 1942. I My LEVY 2388399 FOOT PROTECTOR v Filed Feb. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l June so, 1942. M LEVY 2,288,199

FOOT PRQTECTOR Filed Feb. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a foot protector of or seek worn on the foot.

@atnte June 30, 1942- 2,288,199 FOOT PROTECTOR Minnie Levy, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of oneto William Levy, Brooklyn, N. 1?.

Application; February 13, 1939, Serial No. 258,209 3 Claims. (cl; 36-10) This invention relates to foot appliances or protectors, and more particularly to a device for protecting the toe,area and forward portion of the foot against contact with the shoe or other bodies external of the protector, or against contact with external disease germs and especially against contact with the tines trichophyton parasite commonly known as the germ of athlete's Under modern living conditions there exists a progressively increasing number of cases of This infection is usually conflnedto the toe area and forward portion of the foot and is'highly contagious. Unless some provision is made to protect this portion of an infected foot, the agitation resulting from this infection induces the tendency of the infected person to scratch the foot, which, in turn, aggravates the infection and tends to spread it to other portions of the foot. This, of course, prolongs the period of the infection, and also tends to further spread the disease. This infection is usually contracted through the common use of public showers, bath houses, bathing beaches and pools, gymnasiums and club facilities. Another prolific source for the contraction of the disease resides in the mode of selling new shoes. disease has beencontracted, it is thought that the period ofv infection could be greatly shortened and prevention of further spreading of the disease be brought about by properly protecting the infected foot.

It is an object of this provide a foot protector which is capable of readily conforming to the afiected part of the foot, thereby preventing'the contact of the inf'ected portion of. the foot with external bodies, or the contact of external disease germs with the protected portion of the foot. Another object of this invention is to provide relatively thin elastic nonporous material which is shaped to readily conform to and encase the toe area and forward portion of the foot to thereby Protect this por-' tion of the foot against contact with external bodies, or against the contact of external disease germs with the protected portion of the foot.

Another object a foot protector of porous material which relatively thin elastic non is shaped to conform to and encase the toe area and forward portion of the foot and which protector includes means for securing the protector to the foot or to a stockin of the invention is to." provide foot infection commonly known as athlete's foot.

In all instances, where the invention, therefore, to

the foot protector in Another object of this invention is to provide a foot protector formedof relatively thin elastic material, which protector may be secured within a shoe to protect the foot against contact with the shoe, and the protectorincorporates means for maintaining the protector in foot receiving configuration within the shoe.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a foot protector of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical and efficient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any adview of the foot proon the line H of Figure 3,

, Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental detailed sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, Figure 6 is a similar view taken through a slightly modified arrangement,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another preferred form of foot protector,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of the invention,

Figure 9 15 a perspective view of a further modified form of the foot protector, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a form of is employed to secure the protector on the foot.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, there is depicted, in Figures 1 to 5, a form of invention which includes a relatively thin elastic non-porous body portion l0 which is preferably shaped to conform to the toe area and forward portion. ofthe wearers foot. The front or toe which a reinforced portion portion ll of the non-porous body member is ber I is open, as indicated at 'tion of the forward portion of ,tector is provided with ing or securing member -"shap ed toconform to the "forward portion of the foot, it is manifest that strip from the' members 22 are provided,

- body I 0 of;the protector although it is to be understood that it may be closed to thereby protect the toe area of the foot against contact with any body external of-.the protector. The rear portion of the body meml2, for the recepfacilitate the entrance of the foot into the prothe foot and to tector body Ill. The top portion of the' 'body is cut inwardly towards the forward or toe portion of the body, as indicated at IS, in order that the foot may be more readily positioned within the protector l0. a

- This form of protector is adapted to be secured within shoes. so that when a customer tries on a new pair of shoes in a store, the customers foot will not contact with the toe area or for: ward portion of the shoe. This arrangement has double advantage, inasmuch as itprotects the customer who is trying the shoe on against vdisease germs that may have been deposited therein by a former user,and also protects the shoe against infection in the'event the ,cus'tomer may suffer from. an infected foot. In order to maintain the protector body It in foot receiving position and configuration within the forward or toe portion of the shoe, not shown, each proa bottom or sole stiffen- I6 preferably formed of any suitable non-elastic material'such as leather,

paper, fiber or any suitable composition. The forward portion of the stiffening or securing member I6 is shaped toconformitothe lower for-' ward portion of a foot, as indicated at H, and this portion is preferably secured to. the body It by adhesive or any other suitable securing 'material. Theforward portion ll of "the securing member l6 may be secured to either the inside or the outside of the protector Hi, but a preferable arrangemenfiis one in'which the forward portion I 1 is secured within the body memher I 0 to form the sole portion thereof. Again, this forward sole portion I 1 of the securing memthe infected part of ber 46 may be shaped to conform to either the right or left foot, in instances where shoes are sold in pairs of right or left, or a common shape may be employed to fit either the right or left foot. Inasmuch as the forward or sole portion I! of the stiflening'and securing member I6 is bottom or sole of the this arrangement will hold the bottom or sole. portion of the protector ill in foot receiving shape or configurations A securing tab I8 extends rearwardly from the sole portion ll of the stiffening and securing member ID, and it is preferably shaped; to conform tothe heel portion of the foot. At the rear or heel terminal of the is deposited preferably other suitable material. The forward terminal of the protector strip 20,.projects forwardly beyond the area of the adhesive I! toprovide a grasping ear 2l,,so that the user'may grasp the ear 2| in the fingers and strip the protecting adhesive" It, thus exposing the adhesive 'IQso-that it may engage the bottomof the shoe to secure the securing strip l6 thereto. Additional side and top stiii'ening and securing.

portion 23 of each member 22 is secured to. the and preferably therein,

secured to the exterior of the body ID, if prebe present on the foot of the present user if said and the forward or toe v ously' tried on and they had and the, use of the stance will also protect any subsequent user of members maintain the top and side portions of the protector body III in foot receiving shape or configuration. Each securing member 22 has a securing tab 25 which extends rearwardly from the protector body l0, and has a layer of adhesive 26 preferably deposited on its outer rear terminal. This adhesive 2! is also covered by'a protecting strip 21'having a grasping or manipulating ear 28, and this pro-- tecting strip is stripped from the adhesive 28 in the manner to aid in correctly positioning the protector ll within the shoe, a line or other indicating indicia 30 is preferably inscribed or formed on the top portion of the protector body 30 to indicate the longitudinal center of .the top portion of the protector. I

In positioning the protector I0 within the toe portion of the shoe, line 30 indicates .the longitudinal center of the top portion of the protecout drawing the protector from the shoe. Thus; it is seen from this arrangement, that if a person aifected with athlete's .foot or other contagious foot disease the foot can not engage the shoe, and since the protector closely conforms to the inner part of the shoe, it d'oesnot inconvenience the customer in any way in trying on the shoe. This arrangement affords a two fold protection, because if the shoes have been previnot been protected by a similar protector, the use of the device serves for protecting the present user against previously deposited infectious. germs, protector in the present in-.

the shoe against any infectious germs that may protector is removed at the end of the present user's use. A protector of this type is of peculiar advantage in trying on shoes in a store, orin In suchinstances, the protector is inserted in the shoe before it is mailed to the customer. and, if, for any reason, the shoe is returned to the store, the protector is removed and a. fresh one inserted, thus protecting the subsequent purchaserof the shoe against any disease germs.

portion,'as indicated at 38, and open at its rearportion. An upper V-sha'ped securing tab 31 extend 'rearwardly from the upper toe portion of hereinbefore disclosed. -In order the adhesive thereon may the shoe has been tried 4 on," the foot may be readily withdrawn withtries on the protected shoe,

without leaving a deposit secure the protector on the protector body 35, and'at its rear terminal this tab carries on its inner face -a=thin strip or film of adhesive 38 which is, inturn, covered by a fabric protector strip 39 having a gripping ear 4lextending forwardly therefrom. A lower or sole V-shaped securing tab. 42 extends rearwardly from the lower sole portion of the protectcr body 36, and the rear or heel portion of the sole securing tab 42 is provided with a film of adhesive 43 and a protector strip 45 similar to the arrangements hereinbefore described. This entire protector is tic non-porous material. such as rubber, gum or suitable composition, and it may be readily applied to the foot ofthe user byedrawing it over the toe area and forward portionof the foot by simply grasping the rear terminals of the secur: ing tabs 31 and 42, or, if preferred, the protector may be rolled onto the foot. In order to aid in correctly positioning the protector on the users foot, an indicating line or mark 46 may be inscribed or formed on the upper portion of the protector body 35 and the upper surface of the securing tab 31' to indicate the longitudinal center of these members. After the protector has been positioned on the foot, the fabric protector strips 39 and 45 are stripped from the adhesive 38 and 43, and the adhesive is then pressed against the stocking or sock the foot. This form of protector may be advantageously employed in shoe stores to protect the user against infection of previously tried on shoes, or to portect subsequent users against any infectious germs that may be present on the foot of the present user, and, inasmuch as the entire protector is formed of relatively thin elastic non-porous material, it readily conforms to the shape of the wearers foot so that it does notinterfere in anyway in trying on the shoes.

In Figure 8 a slightly modified form of the invention is disclosed, and this arrangement is similar to that depicted in Figure '7 except that V-shaped' securing tabs 41 extend rearwardly from the side portions of the protector body 43 instead of from the top and bottom, as in the form disclosed in Figure 7. Otherwise this proaces,

' 58' of increased formed of relatively thin elasterrupted at its upper l ice 3 ing to prevent the contact of the user's foot with any extraneous obiect. In Figure 10 there is disclosed a form of the invention which includes a relatively thin elastic non-porous body which is shaped to conform to the toe area foot. The toe portion as indicatedat 58, and itsrear portion is open, as indicated atil. In order to aid in securing the body 55 on the user's foot, 2. band or strip thickness extends around the the body iii-and this band is in- -porti0n by an inwardly extending opening 60. In this form of the invention a line or other suitable mark BI is inscribed or formed on the top portion of the body 55 to indicate to thereby aid in correctly positioning the profactor-on the foot. The body 55 may be readily positioned on the foot by simply rolling it thereon until itis correctly positioned over the toe area and forward portion of the 00 The resilient characteristic of the material tends to secure rear terminal of the body I55 on the toe area and forward portions band or strip 58 of the foot, and the reinforced clings to the intermediate. portion of the foot,

to thus insure that the curely upon the foot. This form of protector of the user to thus may be placed upon the 'bare foot as a protection against contact with extemal'disease germs when the user is bathing, swimming, or engaged in any preferred athletic endeavor, hereinbefore men-- tioned. This form of protector, in common with other forms, may also to protect the wearer's foot against sand and disease germs, or it may while sleeping, as hereinbefore p htedout.

From the foregoing it is manifest that applicant has, in the various forms of the invention disclosed, provided a convenient, highly efflcient and commercially acceptable device to protect the wearer against contact with the infectious disease germs a store orshoes received from mail order houses. Furthermore, it may be wornas a protector while sleeping, as stated, or when engaged in any pretectoris constructed and is positioned on the foot ina manner similar to that disclosed in Figure '7, except that the adhesive strips by the rear terminals of the securing tabs 41 are pressed against the side portions of the stockinged foot rather than against the sole and top portion thereof.

Another form of the invention Figur 9, and this form is similar to the arrangement disclosed in Figure 8 except that an endless securing band 52 extends rearwardly from the side portions of the protector body 53. This protector is also formed of relatively thin elastic non-porous material which readily conforms to the configuration'of the user's foot, and it is securely held to the foot securing band 52 over the heel portion of the foot so that it engages the heel portion and prevents the body portion 53 fromslipping from the toe area and forward portion of the user's foot.

This form of the invention may also be advantageously used in trying on shoes in the stores, or itmay be worn as a protection against infectious disease germs while bathing or while engaged in any preferred form of athletic endeavor, such as running or gymnasium work, or, it may-alsobe womas a protector while sleepis disclosed in and!" carried ferred athletic endeavor, above mentioned, or while bathing, swimming, or walking on the beach or walking from the club house to and from the field of athletic endeavor. Again, the elastic non-porous character of the material employed enhances the efficiencybecause it permits the protector to readily conform to the configuration of the wearer's foot and its non-porous character prevents external disease germs from contact with the foot and also prevents an infected foot from contacting with any body external of the protector.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. A foot protector comprising a body of thin elastic non-porous material having a sole por-.

forward portion of the foot, a plurality'of non-- elastic stiffening members secured to the body to embrace substantially the entire upper portion of the body to thereby maintain the body in footreceiving configuration, the stiffening members having guiding and securing tabs extending f rearwardly from the body and terminating at iocations within the length of the sole, and means for securing the said tabs to the shoe. 2. A foot protector comprising a body of thin elastic non-porous material having a sole porand forward portion of the of the body 55 is closed,

the longitudinal center of the body protector will remain sebe worn upon the beach. a

be worn as a protection when trying on shoes in forward portion tially conform 'rearwardly from the body and terminating at locations within the length of the sole, and adhesive located in a small areaat the rear terminal of each tab to secure the tab to the shoe.

3. A foot protector comprising a body of thin elastic non-porous material having a sole,-por- A -2,2ss,1oe

tion and an upper portion shaped to substantion and an upper portion shaped to substantially conform to and incase the toe' area and forward portion of the foot, a plurality of nonelastic stiflenlng members secured .to the body to embrace substantially the entire upper portion oi the body, a non-elastic stifl'eningi member secured to the body to embrace substantially the entire sole portion thereof, the stifl'ening members having guiding and. securing tabs extending rearwardly from the body and terminating at 10- cations within the length of the sole, and adhesive applied to a small area at the rearward terminal of each tab.

MINNIE LEVY.- 

